Indian students must focus on skills beyond the classroom: NTU Director Stephen Williams
India has always nurtured the enduring and cherished dream of studying abroad, which has never truly dimmed. For a plethora of students, the dream breathes with the same intensity. It dwells in the elite campuses, storied buildings, and ivory-towered universities that serve the promise of knowledge and transformation. The United Kingdom has long been one of these dream destinations, capturing the imagination of countless aspirants here. It has been known for its academic credentials, post-study work options, and global exposure. No wonder it has been the top of aspirations for countless students for many years.That certainty, however, is no longer unruffled. Visa rules have tightened, post-study work windows have narrowed, and kitchen-table conversations now weigh return on investment as carefully as international rankings. Canada and Australia are no longer mere backup plans; they have emerged as serious, front-page choices for families balancing ambition with caution.It is against this evolving backdrop that the Times of India spoke to Stephen Williams, the Director NTU Global, Nottingham Trent University. The conversation deliberately moved beyond polished brochures and institutional rhetoric, focussing on the lived realities Indian students confront once the offer letter is in hand, financing an overseas degree, navigating cultural unfamiliarity, and remaining employable in a world rapidly shaped by artificial intelligence. From scholarships and inclusion to work readiness and long-term career prospects, the exchange offers a candid, clear-eyed view of what studying in the UK entails today and the questions Indian students must confront before charting their next academic journey.
Scholarships are often a crucial consideration for Indian students aspiring to study in the UK. How can they access financial support?
We recognize that for Indian students, like many international students, the financial side of studying at an international destination is kind of an absolute key consideration because if you want to see, you’re definitely getting a return on investment, and I guess a scholarship is partly about offsetting some of those costs, which is really important. It’s also about the prestige of being awarded a scholarship.So you might be familiar with the UK running a scheme called the Chevening scholarship scheme, which recognizes excellent students from around the world, and Indian students perform particularly strongly in the UK Chevening scholarship scheme. So that’s at a national level.NTU also wants to reward academic merit. Our scholarships can cover up to 50% of tuition fees, and we have recently introduced excellence scholarships for MBA programs, also worth 50% of tuition fees. Beyond financial pressures, Indian students sometimes face cultural challenges abroad, including difficulties related to accent or integration. How are universities addressing these issues?That’s a shame. If students experience that, we should provide a welcoming and rewarding ambience for students from all communities. Indian students, who are a significant group, are a key focus.In order to promote inclusion, there must be inclusive areas where students from all backgrounds, including local students, can associate. Through these lounges, intercultural communication is encouraged between the UK and international students, and thus, cultural misunderstandings are reduced, which facilitates integration.Moreover, it is possible to organize a cultural festival that will draw thousands of students and employees each year. Indian students can also engage in discussions with other international students to discuss their positive and negative experiences, to give them a voice and allow the policies to take into account their comments.
Indian students are often concerned about post-study employment, given the uncertainties in the UK economy due to AI and global trends. How are these concerns being addressed?
The point about the UK economy is interesting. Overall, we currently have a Labour government focussed on growth, and we expect policies like trade deals with India to improve economic prospects. But yes, it is challenging for students seeking part-time work during studies and employment after graduation.Interestingly, international students, particularly Indians, excel in securing part-time roles, often outperforming local students in terms of ratio.Students can get lucrative packages in areas such as AI, fintech, green technologies, and healthcare, with many achieving salaries in the range of £40,000 to £70,000.
What advice do you have for Indian students aspiring to study in the UK to make the most of their experience?
My suggestion would be not to sit on the sidelines. While academic excellence is important, students should also seek experiences outside the classroom. Engage in cultural events, volunteer work, internships, and employability-focused programs. Collecting work-life experience and articulating these experiences helps students stand out to employers, demonstrating both academic excellence and the practical skills needed to thrive in a global workplace.
Artificial intelligence is transforming the employment landscape. How should students and universities prepare to remain competitive?
This is a crucial topic globally. Universities need to be proficient with AI tools. Curricula need to align with the new world, emphasizing human skills, critical thinking, interpersonal abilities, and teamwork, alongside AI literacy. Students need to learn how to leverage AI rather than be replaced by it. The focus is on using AI responsibly and effectively while maintaining the essential human judgment that technology cannot replicate. Universities are exploring policies on AI usage in assignments and exams to ensure students are future-ready.As some modifications have taken place in the UK student visa, such as the decline in graduate visa and the number of dependents, most Indian students are considering their options in Canada or Australia. What would you recommend for such students?When the previous government removed the right for dependents of master’s students to join them in the UK, it was a move aimed at reducing net migration. While this change was not ideal for dependents, it has made the system better for students, as net migration numbers are now much lower and less politically contentious. The final piece of the puzzle was the reduction of the graduate visa from two years to 18 months. The government has assured us that this will be the last major change, and we are pleased with that decision.
Any message you would like to share with Indian students or educators regarding studying abroad?
A: Indian students should aim for holistic growth. They must also focus more on sustainability, ethical behaviors, and employability, besides academic excellence. Universities should also develop collaborations with India and also invest in research, innovation, and the knowledge economy.Students must engage actively with all opportunities abroad, cultural, academic, and professional. Doing so ensures they are not just graduates but global citizens equipped to excel in an evolving, competitive world.
